FTSE a flat line! Anyone seen that?

[parthaab]

I was paper trading FTSE today, and noticed that FTSE stood FLAT ( at 6166 ) from 12:15 to 13:30. Like one thin horizontal line!

And then, sharp at 13:30, it fell FIFTY points in 5 minutes! :-0
https://www.google.co.uk/finance?q=ftse&ei=WkjbVaH6Nc6DsAHeravQDA

Wow! Does this normally happen on FTSE index? And why does this happen? Experts?

 

[f2calv]

Suggest you hit f5 (refresh)...

Google charts can flatline if your Internet connection drops, or you suspend your laptop etc...

 

[tomorton]

Almost flat from 1210 until US Non-Farm Payrolls came out, then all hell broke loose. Good lesson re the dangers of trading across the NFPR (wish I'd remembered it).

 

[Splitlink]

I did not want to short Footsie because I was about to go out!

I know, you've heard it all before.

 

[parthaab]

Almost flat from 1210 until US Non-Farm Payrolls came out, then all hell broke loose. Good lesson re the dangers of trading across the NFPR (wish I'd remembered it).

Thanks! Thats very interesting! I ve never seen a Index go so perfectly flat like that!

One would ve thought there would be volatility BEFORE any announcement.
How often do announcements like these happen? I mean NFPR and others like that? It would be good to know.
Made me wonder if the market is all rigged!
All my TA indicators were slaughtered by that!

 

[tomorton]

NFPR is first Friday each month, 1:30pm our time. Plenty of experienced traders get flat before NFPR, also US FOMC rate announcements - just not worth the risk of being wrong. See e.g. www.dailyfx.com for upcoming economic announcements.

 

[f2calv]

"FLAT" or "perfectly flat"
It wasn't doing a whole lot granted, but your idea of FLAT clearly differs from mine :whistling

 

[Splitlink]

"FLAT" or "perfectly flat"
It wasn't doing a whole lot granted, but your idea of FLAT clearly differs from mine :whistling

Me, too.

 

[tomorton]

OK guys there was indeed much volatility across the whole day but in the time period just before NFPR, almost dead.

From 1210 to 1330 I only see a 12pt range - that's pretty much flat for the FTSE.